Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer is when abnormal cells in the stomach start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way.

Symptoms of stomach cancer include difficulty swallowing, weight loss and indigestion (dyspepsia).

You usually start by seeing your GP and they might refer you to a specialist and organise tests. Find out more about tests and screening for stomach cancer. 

Survival depends on many factors including the stage and grade of your stomach cancer. 

Your treatment depends on whereabouts your cancer is in the stomach, how big it is, whether it has spread anywhere else in your body and your general health. 

The type of stomach cancer you have depends on what type of cell it started in. The grade tells you about how abnormal the cells look under a microscope.

The stage of a cancer tells you how big it is and how far it’s spread. It helps your doctor decide which treatment you need.

Advanced stomach cancer means that a cancer that began in the stomach has spread to at least one other part of the body, such as the liver or lungs.

Research trials aim to find out if new treatments are safe and better than those currently available for stomach cancer.

There is support available to help you cope during and after stomach cancer treatment. This includes diet tips to help you eat well.

Factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer include being older or overweight, smoking, and a type of infection called helicobacter pylori.